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Lovely readers, yesterday was THE WORST day ever. I’ve heard plenty of stories over the years about women who lose their wedding rings and now I know first hand just how terrible it is…

(a very awkward picture of my now-naked left hand)

Remember how I’m trying to be better about sunscreen? Yesterday, I slipped off my ring to apply my SPF. Rather than placing it by our toothbrushes in our bathroom (like I usually do), I placed it in my bra. I rushed out the door and drove across the city to a friend’s house to take care of her dog while she was away for the day. I was in her backyard, her bathroom… all over her house, really. THEN, I took her dog to a local dog park and played around for an hour or so.

I noticed that my ring was gone toward the end of my time at the dog park, but I assumed it was next to our toothbrushes in the bathroom because that’s where I ALWAYS keep it when my ring is off. It wasn’t until I got home that I remembered putting the ring in my bra, and by then it was gone.

To be honest, I’m devastated. We’ve looked everywhere. I’m working with a ring finder to get him to bring a metal detector to the dog park, but there’s a chance that the ring isn’t even there. There’s a part of me that’s still holding out hope that it will be found, but the other part of me feels like it’s extremely unrealistic.

Ugh… I’m sorry for the not-so-happy post this morning, but I try to keep the blog honest and this is all I can think about today.

Have you ever lost an important piece of jewelry? Were you able to find it? Any tips or tricks? Please share them in the comments!

It’s no secret— we all need and wear bras. But proper bra maintenance, perhaps, is a big secret.

How many times do you wash your bras? And when you wash them, do you toss it into the spin cycle with your sweats?

In my search for the right bra, I had a very helpful conversation with an expert bra fitter named Maggie at a lingerie shop in San Francisco called Alla Prima. Turns out, there are some surprising truths to not only choosing the right bra but also taking care of it.

It’s important to protect your ladies by giving them the support they need, so here’s a bra care crash-course for you…

Wash bras after about three wears

You’re probably thinking this is crazy talk. At least, I did when Maggie informed me of this rule. Ironically, the more you wash your bras, the longer they’ll last. This is because the oils and sweat from your body wear down the fibers in bras, so if you wash them out, your bra should last longer.

But please, please don’t use a washer and dryer to get them clean. Instead, hand-wash them in cold water using a gentle soap. I like Forever New, which is made specifically for delicates. Soak your bra for no more than five minutes, rinse, and hang dry.

A bra provides its best fit for about one year

Not very long, is it? Of course, this also depends on your bust factor. The bigger your chest is, the heavier the weight, and the more wear and tear on the bra. This year mark is typically given with a fuller bust in mind and assumes you wear this bra nearly everyday.

Of course, the bra won’t disintegrate after a year, but bustier gals may notice the bra doesn’t offer as much lift or support as it once did. To combat this, rotate your bras throughout the week, so you don’t wear them out as quickly. Doing this (and washing them gently!) will extend your bra’s life past one year.

Pay attention to those clasps on the band

I never thought the metal clasps on the backside of bras really meant much other than if the bra wasn’t supportive enough, you just put it on the tightest clasp. This is actually a common misconception that means you’re wearing the wrong size. A bra that truly fits should allow you to start at the clasp closest to the outside when the bra is brand new. As time goes on and your bra stretches out, then you move to the middle clasp, then the inner-most. You should move inwards every three to four months for maximum support.

Get it right by seeking out the experts

Do your body a favor and go to a place that employs bra-fitting experts, especially if you’re busty. These places are pricier because many of the bras are imported from Europe, so be prepared to pay upwards of $70. Truthfully, a good bra will never cost 30 bucks anyway. Unlike many mass retailers, these shops take time to look at your body, the shape of your assets, and even your posture.

Keep in mind that bras are investments and, if handled with some TLC, will last you a long time. In the end, it’s much cheaper to pay for the right fit instead of buying the wrong size year after year. Bonus: you’ll look and feel better too!

What have you done to find the right fit? Do you have any tips on bra care? Any success or horror stories? Do tell!

I recently moved to a new place, and when all of my things were in boxes, the rooms in my house mimicked how I felt: empty. When the physical remnants of your life and memories are packed away, a place that once felt so personal is just a bunch of bare wall space. Kinda sad, isn’t it?

Fortunately, the following quick fixes make it easy to liven things up and make a new place feel like it’s always been yours (or even help your current living space feel extra homey!)

1. Get out those rubber gloves and clean

This sounds kind of common sense, right? Even if your place has already been cleaned pre move-in, the fresh smell of citrus or lavender that’s in so many cleaners helps liven up a new place and get rid of that cardboard box smell that often permeates the air when you move and drag along 30+ boxes with you.

Get your sleep space set up on the first day of your move. It’ll give you some sense of normalcy even if everything around you is an unkempt disaster. And, if any of your bedding has been in storage, wash it if you can. No one wants to sleep surrounded by the smell of a box or mothballs, do they?

3. Organize that closet

I can’t tell you how much I scrambled around before work last week trying to find my umbrella! I was so overwhelmed by my lack of closet space that I let everything lay scattered on my floor for a week. Take it from me, it’s worth sucking it up and organizing your closet. You’ll feel like you’re at home when everything has its rightful place.

Check out great organizational solutions at The Container Store. Their closet experts can make the most hopeless closet space functional.

4. Stock your pantry

On our second “move” day, we made a Trader Joe’s run. Even though the lure and ease of a ton of restaurants in our neighborhood was tempting, there’s something about having a stocked fridge and pantry that just feels homey and comforting. Plus, we were able to cook dinner, which warmed the flat with some yummy scents.

5. Unpack some books, pictures, and knick-knacks

Nothing gives life to an empty room like your personal belongings and snapshots of the people you love.

6. But, if you don’t unpack anything else at first, set up your kitchen

Even if you’re not a huge cook, chances are you’re going to want a glass of water (or wine) or something to store your leftovers in. Plus, if you like to eat breakfast and/or bring your lunch to work, it’ll make things easier and save money you’d otherwise spend at eateries.

7. Plug it in and light it up

Back to scents: smells are the biggest memory triggers and can also release feel-good endorphins. So grab some wall plug-ins and candles in scents that make you feel warm and fuzzy. Maybe it’s spicy cinnamon that reminds you of fall or a beachy scent that takes you back to your favorite vacation spot.

Bath & Body Works always has lots of wallflowers and candles in seasonal scents— often on sale!

8. Get inspired

Finally, you can always do what I’ve been doing in my spare time: scour Pinterest for decorating inspiration. I mean, don’t we all have a Pinterest dream home?

What have you done to make a new place feel more like home? What would your dream home look and feel like? Share your thoughts in the comments!

One thing I loved about getting married at my parents’ house was that I didn’t have to worry about forgetting any wedding day essentials. If you’re NOT getting hitched at home, it’s wise to put together an emergency kit to ensure that you look your best, no matter what curve balls are thrown your way. (Gift Idea: Put them all in a cute case labeled “Wedding Day Survival Kit” and give a kit to each of your bridesmaids with a thank you card!)

Happy Monday, my sweets! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. To celebrate Mother’s Day, I booked an afternoon at the spa for myself and my mom— complete with champagne, massages, and big jacuzzi tubs. Everything about the day was perfect, except for one thing: I had a male masseuse.

I’ve had my fair share of massages over the past ten years, and I always make sure to request a woman because that’s what I’m used to. There must have been a hiccup in communication at the spa yesterday because in walked a 20-something man to take me into the massage room.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being massaged by a man, but for me personally, I became very aware of the fact that I was practically naked in a dimly lit room with a guy that wasn’t my husband. It just felt… wrong. The masseuse was very professional and totally great at his job, but I was never fully able to relax— such a bummer!

I’m curious how you ladies feel about this, and if you think that being married makes a difference.